Railway switch operating apparatus



i P 1933- E. M. ALLEN ET AL- I 2,130,444"

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l THEIR ATTORNEY se s. 20, 1938. E. M, ALLEN ET L 2,130,444

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N PR I 755011000 /ff ofif'laz'd PPQJJZZPQ. H I

INVENTORS 711511? ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES A'EENT OFFlQE 2,130,444 RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Application March 28, 1936, Serial No. 71,478

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, and particularly to improvements in apparatus of the type described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,791,799, granted to J. P. Coleman, on February 10, 1931.

We will describe two forms of apparatus embodying our invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a view, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, illustrating one form of apparatus embodying our invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail sectional views taken on the lines IIII and III-III, respectively, of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, illustrating a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the switch operating apparatus embodying our invention is here shown as comprising a suitable casing I provided at one end with a pair of laterally spaced parallel cylinders 2 and 2 and at the other end with a pair of laterally spaced parallel cylindrical guide- Ways 3 and 3 which align axially with the cylinders 2 and 2 respectively. The cylinders 2 and 2 are closed at their outer ends by means of a cylinder head 4, and communicate at their inner ends with a transmission compartment 7, which compartment also communicates with the inner ends of the guideways 3 and 3 Pistons 5 and 5 are reciprocably mounted in the cylinders 2 and 2 and are attached to the ends of rack bars 5* and 6*, respectively. These rack bars extend through the transmission compartment. 1 for intermeshing engagement with the opposite sides of a gear wheel 8, and are guided at their free ends by means of cylindrical guides Fl and 9 which are slidably mounted in the guideways 3 and 3 respectively. The gear wheel 8 is secured to a vertically extending switch actuating shaft it which is journaled in suitable bearings not shown, and fixed to the shaft I is a switch actuating crank II. This crank carries a roller 12 which cooperates with a transversely extending slot l3 formed in a switch operating rod E4. .The switch operating rod !4 is slidably mounted in the lower part of the casing l, and is adapted to be connected at one end or the other with the movable rails of a track switch S which is shown diagrammatically in the drawings.

The left-hand ends of the rack bars 6 and 6 are provided with locking dogs l= and i5 which cooperate with suitable apparatus including a lock rod L for locking the switch S in its two extreme positions. This locking apparatus forms no part of our present invention, and may, for example, be similar to that which is described in detail in the previously referred to Coleman Patout No. 1,791,799. It is believed to be unnecessary, therefore, to describe this locking apparatus in this application.

The pistons 5 and 5 are so arranged in the cylinders 2 and 2 that, when one piston is at the end of its stroke in one direction, the other piston will be at the end of its stroke in the other direction. Fluid pressure is adapted to be selectively admitted to the right-hand ends of the cylinders 2 and 2 through ports it and Ni formed, in the cylinder walls, in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter, and it will be apparent that, if fluid pressure is admitted to cylinder 2 through the port it when the parts are in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 1, piston 5 will move rack bar 6 toward the left, thereby rotating gear wheel 8 in a counterclockwise direction, and hence moving rack bar 6 and piston 5 toward the right. Similarly, if fiuid pressure is admitted to cylinder 2* through port iii when the parts are in their last named positions, piston 5 will move rack bar 6 toward the left, thereby rotating gear wheel 8 in a clockwise direction, and hence moving rack bar 8 and piston 5 toward the right. It follows that the gear wheel 8 and shaft It) can be given either a counter-clockwise or a clockwise rotation by admitting fluid to the proper cylinder 2 or 2*. When the shaft It is rotated in a clockwise direction to its one extreme position, the switch operating rod M is moved upwardly by the roller [2 to an extreme position in which the switch occupies its full normal position and, conversely, when the shaft It! is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to its other extreme position, the operating rod M is moved downwardly to an. extreme position in which the switch occupies its full reverse position.

' Operatively connected with the switch operating shaft Ill is a cam member l'l forming part of a circuit controller C. This circuit controller is of "well-known construction, and may, for example, be similar to that shown and described in the previously referred to Coleman Patent No. 1,791,799. Briefly described, this circuit controller comprises two pivoted bell crank levers 13 and I8 provided with rollers l9 and I9", respectively, and biased by means of a spring 20 to such positions that the roller l9 will enter a notch l'l formed in the periphery of the cam member I1 when and only when the switch operating apparatus occupies its extreme normal position in which it is shown in the drawings, and that, the roller l9 will enter the notch I! when and only when the switch operating mechanism occupies its extreme reverse position. The lever I 8 is operatively connected with two movable contact fingers Zi and 24 which cooperate respectively with fixed contact members 22 23 and 25 26 in such manner that, when the roller 19 is within the notch H the finger Zi will engage the member 22 to close a contact 2 22 and the finger 24 will engage the memher 25 to close a contact 24* -25 but that, when the roller l9 is forced out of the notch Il the finger Zl will then engage the contact member 23 to close a contact 2| -23* and the finger 24* will engage the contact member 26 to close a contact M -26? In a similar manner, the lever 18 is operatively connected with two movable contact fingers N and 24 which cooperate respectively with fixed contact members 22 23 and 25 26 to close contacts 2| -22 and 24 -25 or 2| 23 and 24 -26 according as the roller l9 occupies the notch I! or is forced out of this notch.

Formed in the right hand end of the casing l between the cylinders 2 and 2 are auxiliary cylinders 2'! and 21 which are closed at their outer ends by the cylinder head 4, and which communicate at their inner ends with a compartment 28 that is also formed in the right-hand end of the casing I between the cylinders 2* and 2 The auxiliary cylinders 21 and 21' also communicate intermediate their ends with the cylinders 2 and 2* through the medium of the previously referred to ports l6 and 16 and have mounted therein reciprocating pistons 29 and 29 which are so constructed that these pistons will blank the ports Hi and 15' when the pistons occupy their extreme right-hand or retracted positions, but not when these pistons occupy their extreme lefthand or projected positions. The pistons 29 and 29 operate piston rods 30 and 30' which extend into the transmission compartment 1 through guideways 3| and 3| formed in the end Wall 32 of the compartment 28, and are pivotally connected within the transmission compartment to lock operating levers 33 and 33 The lock operating levers are pivotally supported on fixed pivot pins 3 5 and 34 and have formed integral therewith lccking dogs 35 and 35 which cooperate with notches 35 and 36 formed in the rack bars 6 and 6 below the rack teeth, as shown in connection with the rack bar 6 in Fig. 3. The parts are so proportioned that the notch 36 in the rack bar 6 will align with the locking dog 35 when and only when the switch operating apparatus occupies its extreme normal position, and that, the notch 36 in the rack bar 6' will align with the locking dog 35 when and only when the switch operating apparatus occupies its extreme reverse position. The parts are further so proportioned that the lock operating lever 33 will be rotated to a locking position in which the locking dog 35 will enter the notch 36*, or to an unlocking position in which the locking dog 35 is withdrawn from the notch 36*, according as the piston 29 occupies its retracted or its projected position, and that, the lock operating lever 33 will be rotated to a locking position in which the locking dog 35 will enter the notch 36 or to an unlocking position in which the locking dog 35 is withdrawn from the notch 36 unlocking in the previously referred as the piston 29* occupies its retracted or its projected position. The lock operating levers are constantly biased to their locking positions by means of springs 3'! and 31 which surround the piston rods 30 and 30 between the end wall 32 of the compartment 28 and collars 38 and 38 which are provided on the piston rods.

The lock operating levers 33 and 33 control a circuit controller E for indicating Whether the switch operating apparatus is locked in its normal or its reverse position, or is unlocked. As here shown, this circuit controller comprises two movable contact fingers 39 and 40 which are operatively connected with the lock operating lever 33, and two other movable contact fingers 39 and 40 which are operatively connected with the lock operating lever 33*. The finger 39 cooperates with two fixed contact members 4 I and 42 to close a contact 39 4| or 39 -42 according as the lever 33 occupies its looking or its unlocking position; the finger 40*? cooperates with a fixed contact member 43 to close a contact Mi -43 when and only when the lever 33 occupies its unlocking position; the finger 39 cooperates with two fixed contact members 4| and 42 to close a contact 39"4l or 39 42 according as the lever 33 occupies its looking or its position; and the finger 40 cooperates with a fixed contact member 43 to close a contact 40 -43 when and only when the lever 33 occupies its unlocking position.

The cylinders 21 and 21' are arranged to be supplied with fluid pressure through passageways 45 and 45 which are formed in the cylinder head and which communicate with pipes 46 and 45 through valves 41* and 47'. When the valves 41 and 4'! occupy their normal or open positions in which they are shown in Fig. 1, communication is established between the pipes 46 and 46 and the interiors of the cylinders 27 and 21 'but when the valves 41" and 4'! are rotated from the positions shown through a sufficient angle in a counterclockwise direction to their reverse or closed positions, the cylinders 27 and 27 are then disconnected from the pipes 46 and 4t and are connected with atmosphere through suitable vent ports, only one of which 48 is shown in the drawings. To facilitate rotation of the valves 41 and 41 between their open and closed positions, these valves are connected together by means of a connecting member 49 which is formed with sockets at its opposite ends for engagement with the squared confronting ends 50 and 50 of the valves 41 and 41 and which is also formed with another socket 5| for the reception of a removable operating lever. This operating lever may be of any suitable type, but will usually comprise the handle of a hand crank which is provided for the purpose of enabling the switch operating apparatus to be manually operated between its two extreme positions, one such hand crank and the method of operably connecting it with the switch operating apparatus being shown to Coleman Patent No. 1,791,799. The member 49 is further formed with a depending portion 52 which cooperates with two auxiliary operating rods 53* and 53 which are slidably supported adjacent their outer ends in suitable guide lugs 54 formed on the undersides of the cylinders 2! and 21 and which are secured at their inner ends to the piston rods 30 and 30 respectively, the parts being so proportioned that, when the valves are moved to their closed positions by rotation of the member 49 to accordingpermit manual operation of the switch operating apparatus, the depending portion 52 will engage the rod 53 or 53 according as the switch operating apparatus then occupies its extreme normal or its extreme reverse position, and will rotate the lock operating lever 33* or 33 as the case may be, from its looking to its unlocking position. It will be seen, therefore, that operation of the valves to their closed positions to permit the operation of the switch movement by hand will automatically unlock the switch movement if the switch movement is then looked in either of its extreme positions.

During normal operation of the apparatus, fluid is selectively supplied to the pipes 46 and 4t by means of an electropneumatically operated switch valve mechanism CP. This valve mechanism may be of any suitable type but, as here shown, this valve mechanism is similar to that described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,875,853, granted to J. P. Coleman, on September 6, 1932, for Railway trafiic controlling apparatus. Since this valve mechanism is described in detail in the said United States Patent No. 1,875,853, it is believed to be sufiicient for purposes of the present disclosure to state that this valve mechanism is provided with the usual normal magnet N reverse magnet R and lock magnet L it being understood that, when the normal and lock magnets are both en" ergized, fluid will be admitted to the pipe 45" whereas, when the reverse and lock magnets are both energized, fluid will be admitted to the pipe 46*. The valve mechanism CP is also provided with normal contacts 54-54 and 55-55 which become closed when the normal and lock magnets both become energized, and which subsequently remain closed until the reverse and lock magnets both become energized, and with reverse contacts l5 l and 55-45 which become closed when the reverse and lock magnets both become energized and which remain closed until the normal and lock magnets subsequently become energized.

The magnet valves R and L and N are controlled in part by a manually operable lever A which in the form here shown is movable between a normal position N, a normal indication position B, a reverse indication position D, and a reverse position R. Operatively connected with the lever A are four contacts 56, 57, 58, and 59, the two contacts 56 and 58 being closed when the lever occupies its normal position N, its normal indicating position B, or any position intermediate these two positions; and the remaining two contacts 51 and 59 being closed when the lever occupies its reverse position R, its reverse indicating position D, or any position intermediate these two positions.

The magnet valves R L and N are also controlled in part by the circuit controller E, and in part by a polarized indication relay K, which relay, in turn, may, if desired, be used to govern the movements of the lever A. The means for governing the movements of the lever A by the relay K are not shown in the drawings because these means form no part of our present invention, but these means may, for example, be similar to those shown in an application for Letters Patent of the United States Serial No. 406,883, filed by B. E. OHagan, on. November 13, 1.929, for Railway switch operating apparatus.

Relay K is controlled by the circuit controllers C and E and by the contacts of the switch valve mechanism CP.

As shown in the drawings, the switch S, the

switch operating apparatus, and the lever A all occupy their normal positions. Under these conditions, a normal indicating circuit for relay K is closed, and current of normal polarity flows from terminal X of a suitable source of current not shown in the drawings through wire 68, contact 5l54 of switch valve mechanism CP, wire 6|, contact 2l -22 of circuit controller C, wire "52, contact til -4| of circuit controller E, wire 53, the winding of relay K, wires E4 and Si), contact i l -25 of circuit controller C, and wire 55 to teminal O of the source. Relay K is therefore energized in its normal direction, so that its neutral back contacts are open and its normal polar contacts are closed. All circuits for the magnets R L and N of the valve mechanism CP are open, and these magnets are therefore all deenergized.

We will now assume that the operator desires to reverse switch S. To do this, he will first move lever A from its normal position N to its reverse indicating position D, thus opening contacts 56 and 58 of this lever, and closing contacts 51 and 59. The closing of contact 51 completes a circuit for the reverse magnet R of valve CP, while the closing of contact 59 completes a circuit for the lock magnet L The circuit for the reverse magnet R passes from terminal X through wires 56 and 61, contact 51 of lever A, wire 68, contact AW -43 of circuit controller E, wire 69, the winding of magnet R and wires 10 and H to terminal 0. The circuit for the lock magnet L passes from terminal X through contact 59 of lever A, wire 12, normal polar contact F3 of relay K, wires I4, 15, and 16; the winding of lock magnet L of valve mechanism CP, and wire ll to terminal 0. The magnets R and L therefore become energized and, as was previously pointed out, the energization of these magnets causes the contacts 5454 and 55-55 of switch valve GP to become opened and contacts 5 l-5 l and 55---55 to become closed. The opening of contact 5654* of valve mechanism CP interrupts the circuit that was previously closed for relay K, while the closing of contact 54-54 completes a short circuit for this magnet which may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay K through wires 64 and 18, contact 5 l-5 l* of valve mechanism CP, wire 6|, contact 2l 22 of circuit controller C, wire 62, contact Mi H of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of relay K. 'Relay K therefore becomes deenergized and closes its back contact TI. The closing of contact 11 completes another energizingcircuit for magnet valve L which latter circuit may be traced from terminal X through back contact T! of relay K, wire 76, the winding of magnet L and wire I! to terminal 0. The energization of magnets R and L of valve mechanism CP also causes fluid pressure to be admitted to the auxiliary cylinder 2! of the switch operating apparatus, and the fluid thus admitted to this cylinder moves piston 29 from its retracted to its projected position; thereby actuatingthe lever 33 to unlock the switch, and at the same time causing contact Bil -Al of circuit controller E to become opened and contacts til -42 and Mi -43 of circuit controller E to become closed. The closing of contact 959 42 of circuit controller E completes a shunt circuit for the winding of relay K, which shunt circuit insures that this relay will become deenergized and will remain deenergized while the switch is being reversed if this relay has not already become deenergized, and which circuit may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay K through wire 18, contact MI -42 of circuit controller E, wire 19, contact 39 -412 of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of the winding of relay K. The movement of piston 29 to its projected position, in addition to unlocking the switch, also uncovers port I6, thus admitting fluid pressure to cylinder 2, and hence causing the switch operating apparatus to move from its normal position to its reverse position in the manner previously described. As soon as the switch operating apparatus starts to move to its reverse position and before the locking plunger l5 becomes disengaged from the lock rod L to unlock the switch S, the roller l9 carried by the lever l8- of circuit controller C is forced out of the notch l1 in the cam member l1, whereupon contacts 2l --2i and M -25 of circuit controller C become opened and contacts 2l"----23 and M 26 become closed. The operation of these contacts of circuit controller 0, under these conditions, however, has no immediate effect on the remainder of the apparatus unless the contact 39 4 I of circuit controller E failed to open for any reason in response to the unlocking movement of lever 33, in which event another shunt circuit for relay K would then become closed which latter circuit may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay K through wires 64 and 80, contact M -26 of circuit controller C, wire 83, contact 2l 23 of circuit controller C, wire 62, contact 39 4| of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of relay K. The function of this latter circuit is to insure that relay K will become deenergized in the case of a failure of the type described, and thus prevent a dangerous condition due to this failure. When the switch reaches its full reverse position. the notch [1 in the cam member I 1 moves into alignment with the roller l9 carried by the lever l8 and spring 20 then operates lever l8 from the position shown to the position in which the roller l9 enters the notch H thus opening contacts 2l 23 and 24 26 of circuit controller C, and closing contacts 2| 2i and 24 25 of this circuit controller. Furthermore, notch 36 in the rack bar 6 moves into alignment with locking dog 35, and spring 31 then moves lever 33 to its locking position, thus causing contacts 3$J -42 and l -43 of circuit controller E to become opened, and contact 39 ---4| of circuit controller E to become closed. The opening of contact 39"42 interrupts the short circuit which was previouly closed for relay K at this contact, while the closing of contact 39 4l completes a reverse energizing circuit for relay K passing from terminal Xthrough contact 24 25 of circuit controller C, wires 80 and 64, the winding of relay K, wire 63, contact 39'--l2 of circuit controller E, wire 19, contact 39 4| of circuit controller E, wires 8| and 62, contact 2| 22 of circuit controller C, wire 84, contact 5555 of switch valve mechanism CP, and wire 85 to terminal 0. The current supplied to relay K over this circuit is of reverse polarity and this relay therefore now reverses its polar contacts and opens its back contact 11. When back contact 11 of relay K becomes opened, all circuits which were previously closed for lock magnet L are interrupted and this magnet therefore now becomes deenergized. Furthermore, the opening of contact l -43 of circuit controller E interrupts the circuit which was previously closed for magnet R and magnet R therefore also becomes deenergized. The deenergization of magnets L and R cuts off the supply of fluid pressure to cylinders 21 and 2 and permits the fluid which was previously supplied to these cylinders to escape to atmosphere. The energization of relay K in its reverse direction also acts to permit lever A to be moved from its reverse indicating position to its full reverse position in a manner which is described in the previously referred to OHagan patent, and when this lever has been moved to its reverse indicating position, all parts are then in their proper reverse positions.

We will assume that the switch has been moved to its reverse position in the manner just described, and that the operator wishing to restore the switch to its normal position moves lever A to its normal indicating position. This movement of the lever completes a circuit for the normal magnet N passing from terminal X through wires 66 and 61, contact 56 of lever A, wire I83, contact lll l3 of circuit controller E, wire I84, and the winding of magnet N to terminal 0. This movement of the lever also completes a circuit for the lock magnet L passing'from terminal X through wire 66, contact 58 of lever A, wire I85, reverse polar contact 86 of relay K, wires 81, 15, and 16, winding of magnet L and wire 1| to terminal 0. The lock magnets L and N therefore both become energized, and cause the contacts of this valve mechanism to be restored to the positions in which they are shown in the drawings. The resultant opening of contact 5555 of valve mechanism CP interrupts the reverse indication circuit which was previously closed for relay K, and completes a shunt circuit for this relay, which latter circuit may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay K through wires 64 and 18, contact 5555 of valve mechanism CP, wire 84, contact 2l 22 of circuit controller C, wire 62, contact (M -4| of circuit controller E, wire 19, contact 39 -42 of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of relay K. Relay K therefore now becomes deenergized and closes the previously traced auxiliary circuit for the lock magnet L at contact 11. The energization of the magnets L and N also causes fluid pressure to be admitted to the cylinder 21 through the pipe 46 and port 45*, and this fluid pressure forces piston l9 to the position in which the locking dog 35 becomes withdrawn from the notch 36 thereby opening contact 39 4l and closing contacts 39 -42 and l -43 of circuit controller E. The opening of contact 39 -4l of circuit controller E interrupts the shunt circuit for relay K which was previously closed at this contact, while the closing of contact 39 -42 of circuit controller E completes another shunt circuit for relay K which latter circuit may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay K through wire 18, contact 39 l2 of circuit controller E, wire 19, contact 39 -42 of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of relay K. The movement of piston 29 to its projected position also uncovers ports Hi and, since the switch operating apparatus is then unlocked, the fluid pressure thus admitted to cylinder 21 causes the switch operating apparatus to move from its reverse position to its normal position, and thus move switch S from its reverse position to its normal position. As soon as the switch operating apparatus starts to move toward its normal position, contacts 2l 22 and M 25 of circuit controller 0 become opened, and contacts 2| l!3 and Ni -26'" of circuit controller 0 become closed in a manner which will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawings. The operation of these contacts under these conditions, however, has no immediate effect on the remainder of the apparatus unless contact MI -4H had failed to open in response to the unlocking movement of lever 33* in which event the closing of contact Z P-26 would complete another short circuit for relay K passing from the left-hand terminal of the relay through wires 64 and 80, contact N -26 of circuit controller C, contact 2I --2? of circuit controller C, wire 62, contact MI -M of circuit controller E, wire 19, contact 39=* 32 of circuit controller E, and wire 63 to the other terminal of relay K. When the switch reaches its full normal position, circuit controller C will then open its contacts 2I --23 and 2 5 -45 and will close its contacts 2I* ---22 and Z t -25 Furthermore, the spring 3! will cause the locking plunger 35 to enter the notch 35 in the rack bar 6*, and will thus cause the switch operating apparatus to become locked in its normal position. The movement of the locking plunger 35* to its locking position will cause contacts 3E! t2 and ill 3 of circuit controller E to become opened, and contact 39 of circuit controller E to become closed. The opening of contact ac -se will interrupt the circuit which was previously closed for the normal magnet N thus causing this magnet to become deenergized, and to cut off the supply of fluid pressure to the cylinder 27*. The opening of contact Mi -42 of circuit controller E will interrupt the shunt circuit which was previously closed for relay K, and the closing of contact Bil -M of circuit controller E will complete the previously traced normal energizing circuit for relay K. Relay K will therefore become energized in its normal direction, thus causing its back contact H to open and its polar contacts to move from their reverse positions to their normal positions. When the back contact ll of relay K becomes opened, the 'lock magnet L will become deenergized, and all of the lock magnets will then be deenergized so that the supply of lifluid pressure to cylinders 21* and 2 will be cut off, and these cylinders will both be vented to atmosphere. The energization of relay K will permit the lever A to be moved from its normal indicating position to its full normal position and,

;.When the lever is moved to its normal position,

all parts will then be restored to the positions in which they are shown in the drawings.

It should be pointed out that, with the apparatus constructed in the manner described since '..the apparatus is firmly locked in both its normal and reverse positions, any danger of the apparatus creeping due to vibration or the like is prevented. This is desirable because it permits all of the magnets oi the valve GP to be deenergized except while the switch is being reversed from one position to the other, thereby effecting a marked saving in energy.

It should also be pointed out that, with the apparatus constructed in the manner described pleted,

' if, when the switch is reversed, it fails to reach the extreme position toward which it is being moved for any reason, the locking plunger 35, which would have entered the associated notch 35 if the movement of the switch had been comwill be prevented from moving to its looking position and, under these conditions, the contacts of the circuit controller E, which would have been closed by the movement of the locking plunger to its locking position, will remain open and relay K will remain deenergized. As a result, the operator may immediately restore the lever to the position from which it was moved to reverse the switch'and, when he does this, the switch will be restored to its original position, thus insuring that the operator will not lose control of the switch.

Referring now to Fig. 4, we have here shown a modified form of valve mechanism CP which may be used in place of the valve mechanism CP shown in Fig. 1 for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the cylinders 21 and 21 together with suitable control circuits for controlling this modified iorm of valve mechanism. As here illustrated, this valve mechanism comprises a slide valve 90 which is mounted in a valve chamber 9| formed in the cylinder head 4 adjacent the outer ends of the cylinders 21 and 2t The slide valve 90 is biased by means of a spring assembly F to an intermediate position in which it is shown in the drawings, and is arranged to be moved from its intermediate position to a lower or normal position or an upper or reverse position by means of a polarized control magnet P. The centering spring assembly may be of any suitable type, but in the form here shown, this assembly comprises a fixed cylindrical housing as provided at its opposite ends with end plates 94 having formed therein axially aligned openings 95 through which a valve operating rod 96 extends with some clearance. Pinned to the rod 86 within the openings 95 are collars 91, and surrounding the rod between stop washers 98 which are slidably mounted on the rod 96 adjacent the collars 91 is a compressed coil spring 99 which constantly biases the washers to the position in which they engage the associated collars and the inner sides of the end plates 94, the parts being so proportioned that, when the stop washers are engaging both the end plates and the collars, the valve assembly will be held in its intermediate position.

The polarized magnet P comprises a magnetizable core II'II, a permanently magnetized core I02, and a magnetizable core I63 connected together at one end by a backstrap I04, the two magnetizable cores IOI and I03 being disposed on opposite sides of the constantly magnetized core I02 and being provided with energizing windings I05 and I06, respectively. Pivotally attached to the permanently magnetized core I02 at the end opposite to the backstrap I04 is an armature IB'I which is arranged to swing toward the core I 03 or the core IOI according as the windings I05 and I06 are supplied with current of normal or reverse polarity. The armature I01 is formed with an integral arm I08 which is pivotally connected with the free end of the operating rod 96 in such manner that the slide valve will be moved to its normal or its reverse position according as the armature is swung toward the magnetizable core I03 or the magnetizable core Illl.

The valve chamber 9| communicates with the cylinders 21 and 21 through two ports I09 and I09", respectively, and with a fluid pressure supply pipe IIO through two ports Ill and III which are formed in the outer wall of the valve chamber, and which align axially with the ports Iflfi and I09 respectively. The valve chamber 9i also communicates at its upper and lower ends with atmosphere through two ports H2 and H2 The slide valve 90 is provided with four passageways 3 4 H3 and H4". The passageway II3 is 50 arranged that, when the slide valve occupies its intermediate position in which it is shown in the drawings or its normal position, this passageway will align with the port I09 and will thus establish communication between the cylinder 2! and the outer atmosphere through the port I09 the passageway H3 the upper end of the valve chamber Ill, and the port I I2 and the passageway I I 3 is so arranged that when the slide valve occupies its intermediate position or its reverse position, this passageway will align with the port I09 to establish communication between the cylinder 21 and the outer atmosphere through the port I09 the passageway H3 the lower end of the valve chamber SI, and the port IIZ The passageway H4 is so arranged that, when the slide valve occupies its lower or normal position, this passageway will align with the ports I09 and I I I to connect the cylinder 2'! With the pipe I I0, and the passageway H4 is so arranged that, when the slide valve occupies its reverse position, this passageway will align with the ports I 09 and I and will thus connect the cylinder 2'! with the pipe I I0.

The valve mechanism CP also comprises a movable contact finger I I5 which is operatively connected with the operating rod 96, and which cooperates with three fixed contact members I I6, H1, or II8 to close a contact II5I I6, a contact IIE-I II, or a contact II5-I I8 according as the slide valve occupies its intermediate, its reverse, or its normal extreme position.

The remainder of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is similar in all respects to the corresponding apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

The operation as a whole of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is as follows: As illustrated in the drawings, all parts are in their tions. Under these conditions, all circuits for the polarized control relay P are open, and this relay is therefore deenergized. The polarized indication relay K, however, is energized by virture of a normal indication circuit which passes from terminal X of the source through wire I20, con tact 2I --22 of circuit controller C, wire 62, contact 39 '3I of circuit controller E, wire I2I, contact II-II6 of valve mechanism CP wire I 22, the winding of relay K, wires 64 and I24, contact M -25 of circuit controller C and wire I25 to terminal 0.

We will now assume that the operator, wishing to reverse the switch S, moves the lever A from its normal position N to its reverse indicating position D. This movement of the lever completes the reverse control circuit for the control magnet P. and current of reverse polarity flows from terminal X through contact 5'I of lever A, wires I26 and I21, the windings I05 and I06 of magnet P in series, wires I20 and I29, contact 40 43 of circuit controller E, an asymmetric unit I30 in its low resistance direction, wire I3I, and contact 59 of lever A to terminal 0. The current thus supplied to the control magnet P causes the armature of the magnet to swing toward the core I M and this movement of the armature causes contact II5-I I8 of the valve mechanism GP to open and contact I I5I I? to close. The opening or" the contact II 5I it of the valve mechanism 0P interrupts the normal energizing circuit that was previously closed for relay K, while the closing of contact I I5-I Il completes a short circuit for this relay which latter circuit may be traced from the righthand terminal of relay K through wires 64, I35, and I32, contact II5II'I of valve mechanism CP, and wire I22 to the other terminal of relay K. Relay K, therefore, be-

normal posicomes deenergized for obvious reasons. The movement of armature I01 toward core IOI of the control magnet P also moves the slide valve 90 to its upper or reverse position, thereby disconnecting the cylinder 2'! from atmosphere and connecting this cylinder with the source of fluid pressure. As a result, fluid pressure is now admitted to the cylinder 2'! and this pressure causes the piston 29 to move from its retracted to its projected position, thereby unlocking the switch operating apparatus and at the same time causing contact 39 -4I of circuit controller E to become opened and contacts Mi ll and 40 43 of circuit controller E to become closed. The operation of the contacts of circuit controller E under these conditions, however, has no effect on the apparatus unless the contact II5I I6 of the polarized control magnet P has failed to open in the usual manner when this magnet became energized, in which event the closing of contact SS -42 will complete another shunt circuit for relay K which latter circuit may be traced from the right-hand terminal of relay K through wires 64, I35, and I36, contact 39 42 of circuit controller E, wire I31, contact 3$!**42 of circuit controller E, wire I2I, contact II5-II6 of valve mechanism GP, and wire I 22 to the other teri. inal of relay K. It should be noted that, when this circuit becomes closed, relay K will, of course, become deenergized. The movement of piston 26 to its projected position also uncovers port I6 thus admitting fluid pressure to cylinder 2 and hence causing the switch operating apparatus to reverse in the manner previously described in connection with Fig. 1. As soon as the switch operating apparatus starts to move, contacts Zi -42 and 20 -25 of circuit controller C become opened and contacts 2I* --23 and 24 26 become closed. The closing of contacts 24 26 and 2I *23 has no immediate effect on the remainder of the apparatus if the contacts of the switch valve mechanism CP have functioned in the proper manner in response to the energization of the control relay P and the circuit controller E has functioned in the proper manner in response to the unlocking movement of the bell crank lever 33*. If, however, the contacts of the valve mechanism CP have failed to function in the proper manner so that contact II5II6 is still closed and the contacts of the circuit controller E have also failed to function so that the contact 39= 4I is closed, then the closing of the contacts 24* 26 and 2I 23 complete-another shunt circuit for relay K which may be traced from the right-hand terminal of relay K, wires 64 and I24, through contact 242Ii of the circuit controller C, wire I33, contact 2I 23 of circuit controller C, wires 83 and 62, contact 39 1I of circuit controller E, wire I2I, contact I I5-I I6 of valve mechanism CP, and wire I22 to relay K. The closing of this latter circuit will, of course, cause relay K to become deenergized if this relay has not already become deenergized. When the switch operating apparatus reaches its full reverse position, the roller IS! will enter the notchI'i' in the cam I1 and will thus cause contacts bi -26 and 2I 23 of circuit controller C to open and contacts 2 I ---25 and M -2i of circuit controller C to become closed. Furthermore, the spring 3'1 will cause the locking plunger 35 to enter the notch 36' in the rack bar 6', thus locking the switch in its reverse position, and will also cause contacts 39 42 and 40 -43 of circuit controller E to open and contact 39 of circuit controller E to become closed. The

opening of contact du -43 will interrupt the circuit over which the control magnet P was previously energized, and this magnet will therefore now become deenergized and will permit the spring mechanism F to restore the slide valve 99 to its intermediate position. When the slide valve reaches its intermediate position, it will cut off the further supply of fluid to the cylinders 21* and 2 and will permit the fluid which was previously supplied to these cylinders to escape to atmosphere. cuit controller E and contacts 24 -25 and M -22 of circuit controller C are all closed, a reverse indication circuit for relay K is completed and current flows from terminal X through contact 2i 25 of circuit controller C, wires 80, I24,

and 6 4, the winding of relay K, wire I22, contact ii5--I I6 of valve mechanism CP wire I2l, contact 39 l2 of circuit controller E, wire I31, contact 39 lI of circuit controller E, wires I39,

62, and 83, contact 2I -22 of circuit controller C, and wire I 'll] to terminal 0. The current sup: plied to relay K over this reverse control circuit is of reverse polarity and this relay, therefore, picks up its neutral armature and reverses its polar contacts. When relay K picks up its neutral armature and reverses its polar contacts, the control mechanism for controlling the lever A by the relay K becomes operated, and permits movement of the lever from its reverse indicating position to its full reverse position. When the lever reaches this full reverse position, all parts then occupy their proper reverse positions.

We will now assume that the parts have been moved to their reverse positions inthe manner just described and that the operator wishing to restore the switch to its normal position moves the lever to its normal indicating position. This movement of the lever completes a normal control circuit for the control relay P, and current of normal polarity flows over this circuit from terminal X through contact 56 of lever A, wires I iI and I3I, an asymmetric unit I42 in its low resistance direction, contact MI I3 of circuit controller E, wires I43 and I28, the windings I05 and I95 of the control magnet P, wire I21, and contact 58 of lever A to terminal 0. The control magnet P, therefore, now swings its armature toward the pole piece I63 thus causing contact ,IIE-IIB of valve mechanism GP to become opened and contact II5-II8 to become closed. The opening of contact II5-II6 interrupts the reverse energizing circuit for the indication relay K, while the closing of contact II5II8 completes a shunt circuit for this relay which is similar to that previously traced when the armature of magnet P swung toward core IUI with the exception that this latter circuit includes contact Ii5ll8 of the valve mechanism CP in place of the contact II5-II1 of this valve mechanism. The movement of the armature I01 toward the core I03 also causes the slide valve to move downwardly to its normal position, thereby causing fluid pressure to be admitted to auxiliary cylinder 21 The fluid thus admitted to this cylinder moves the locking plunger 35 from its looking to its unlocking position and causes contact 39 -4I of circuit controller E to become opened and contacts 39 2 and 4t l3 to become closed. The opening of con tact 39 fiI interrupts the reverse indication circuit for relay K at this contact but, if the contacts controlled by the switch valve mechanism CP have functioned properly, this circuit is already open and the opening of this contact When contact 39 -4I of cirunder those conditions has no effect on the apparatus. The closing of contact 39 112 of circuit controller E likewise has no immediate effect on the apparatus if the contacts of the switch valve mechanism CP occupy their proper positions but, if contact I I5I I6 of this valve mechanism is still closed for any reason, then the closing of contact 39 fi2 completes another shunt circuit for relay K which may be traced from the right-hand terminal of relay K through wires 68, I35, and I36, contact 39 -42 of circuit controller E, wire I31, contact 39 52 of circuit controller E, wire I2l, contact II5-I I6 of valve mechanism CP and wire I22 to the other terminal of relay K. It should be noted that the function of this latter circuit is to insure that relay K will become deenergizedin the event of a failure of the contacts of the switch valve mechanism GP to function in the proper manner. The movement of the piston 29 to its projected position to unlock the switch operating apparatus rum-covers the port 56 and permits fluid pressure to be supplied to the cylinder 2 This fluid pressure will cause the switch operating apparatus to move the switch from its reverse position to its normal position. As soon as the switch operating apparatus starts to move, contacts 2I --22 and 2 3 45 of circuit controller C will become opened, and contacts 2I -2$ and 24 -26 will become closed. This operation of the contacts of circuit controller C will have no immediate effect on the remainder of the apparatus unless both the contacts of the valve mechanism CP and the contacts of the circuit controller E have failed to function in the proper manner in which event another shunt circuit for relay K will be closed, which latter circuit may be traced from the right-hand terminal of relay K through wires 64, I24, and 80, contact 2 3 25 of circuit controller C, wire I44, contact 2I'---23 of circuit controller 0, wires 62 and I39, contact 39 II of circuit controller E, wire I31, contact 39* 42 of circuit controller E, wire E2I, contact II5-II6 of switch valve mechanism 0P and wire I22 back to the other terminal of relay K. The function of this latter circuit is, of course, to insure that relay K will become deenergized in the event that this relay has not become previously deenergized due to the operation of the contacts of the switch valve mechanism and of the circuit controller E. When the switch reaches its full normal position, contacts 2I 23 and 24* 26 of circuit controller C will become opened and contacts 24 -25 and 2I= 22 will become closed. Furthermore, the locking plunger 35 will enter the notch 36 in the rack bar 6 to lock the switch in its normal position and the contacts t9 l2 and MI -43 of circuit controller E will become opened and the contact 39 4I of circuit controller E will become closed. The opening of contact Mi --43 of circuit controller C will deenergize the control magnet P and, when this magnet becomes deenergized, the supply of fluid pressure to cylinders 21 and 2 will be cut off, and the fluid which was previously supplied to these cylinders will be vented to atmosphere. Furthermore, contact II5-I I8 of the valve mechanism 0P will become open and contact I I5-II6 will become closed. When this contact becomes closed, the previously traced normal energizing circuit for indication relay K will then become closed, and this relay will therefore close its front contacts and its normal polar contacts. When this happens, the mechanism controlled by this relay for controlling lever A will be actuated to permit the lever to be moved from its normal indication position to its full normal position. When the lever reaches its full normal position, all parts will then be restored to their normal positions in which they are shown in the drawings.

It should be pointed out that, when the apparatus occupies either its normal or its reverse position if a maintainer operates the contacts of the valve mechanism CP in a manner to cause the contact |l5ll6 to open and either contact 5-! I! or Il5i I8 to become closed, this operation will cause the indication relay to become deenergized, and will immediately connect this relay in one or the other of the shunt circuits previously traced for this relay. Likewise, if any of the contacts of either circuit controller 0 or circuit controller E are inadvertently operated from the positions corresponding to the position which the switch then occupies when the switch is in either of its extreme positions, the indication circuit which was previously closed for relay K will become interrupted and one or the other of the previously traced shunt circuits controlled by the circuit controllers C and E will become closed, and will cause relay K to immediately become deenergized. In actual practice, relay K will usually be used not only to control lever A, but also to control the circuits for the signals governing trafiic over switch S in such manner that these signals will occupy their stop positions unless relay K is energized, and it will be apparent, therefore, that with apparatus embodying our invention every precaution has been taken to prevent an unsafe condition from happening.

One advantage of apparatus embodying our invention is that no electrical energy is supplied to the valve control mechanism when the switch occupies either of its extreme positions, and as a result a marked saving in energy is effected.

Another advantage of apparatus embodying our invention is that, since the switch operating apparatus is locked, when it occupies either extreme position, by means of the locking plungers 35 and 35 in the manner previously described, the possibility of the apparatus creeping due to vibration and the like is prevented.

Although we have herein shown and described .only two forms of apparatus embodying our invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch, a dog for each said piston for locking the piston, said dogs being biased to looking positions, a pair of auxiliary cylinders located in said housing, a piston in each auxiliary cylinder for moving one of said dogs from its looking to an unlocking position and for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to an associated one of said drive cylinders, two manually operable valves one for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to each auxiliary cylinder, and means effective when either of said valves is moved to its closed position for moving the associated dog to its unlocking position if it then occupies its locking position.

2. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of spaced drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch, a dog for each said piston for locking the piston, a pair of auxiliary cylinders located in said housing and positioned between said drive cylinders, a piston in each drive cylinder operatively connected with an associated one of said dogs for moving such dog to an unlocking position and to admit fluid pressure to an associated one of said drive cylinders, a pair of valves one for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to each of said auxiliary cylinders and each having an open and a closed position, a member connecting said valves for jointly moving said valves to their closed positions, and means controlled by said member and effective when said valves are moved to their closed positions by said member for moving either of said dogs to its unlocking position if it then occupies its locking position.

3. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of spaced drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a dog for each said piston for locking the piston, a pair of auxiliary cylinders in said housing, a piston in each auxiliary cylinder for governing one of said dogs and for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the associated drive cylinder, a manually operable lever, an indication relay, means controlled by said lever and by said relay for controlling the supply of fluid to said auxiliary cylinders, and means controlled by said dogs for controlling said indication relay.

4. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of spaced drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a dog for each said piston for locking the piston, a pair of auxiliary cylinders in said housing, a piston in each auxiliary cylinder for governing one of said dogs and for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the associated drive cylinder, a manually operable lever, an indication relay, means controlled by said lever and by said relay for controlling the supply of fluid to said auxiliary cylinders, means for normally energizing said relay when the switch is moved to either extreme posi tion, and means controlled by said dogs for preventing said relay from becoming energized unless one or the other of said first mentioned pistons is locked by the associated dog.

5. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of spaced drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch, lock mechanism for locking said pistons against movement in their extreme positions, a pair of auxiliary cylinders in said housing containing pistons for actuating said lock mechanism and for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said drive cylinders, a polarized control magnet, valve mechanism operated by said magnet and effective for connecting one or the other of said auxiliary cylinders with a source of fluid pressure or both of said auxiliary cylinders with atmosphere according as said magnet is supplied with current of one relative polarity or the other or is deenergized, a manually operable lever, means controlled by said lever for controlling the supply of current to said polarized magnet, an indication relay, and means controlled in accordance with the position of said lock mechanism and the position of said polarized control magnet for controlling said indication relay.

6. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a housing containing a pair of spaced drive cylinders containing pistons operatively connected with the switch, lock mechanism for locking said pistons against movement in their extreme positions, a pair of auxiliary cylinders in said housing containing pistons for actuating said lock mechanism and for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said drive mechanism; a polarized control magnet, valve mechanism operated by said magnet and effective for connecting one or the other of said auxiliary cylinders with a source of fluid pressure or both of said auxiliary cylinders with atmosphere according as said magnet is supplied with current of one relative polarity or the other or is deenergized, a manually operable lever, means controlled by said lever for controlling the supply of current to said polarized magnet, an indication relay, a circuit controller controlled by said lock mechanism, another circuit controller controlled by said valve mechanism, and means controlled by said two circuit controllers for controlling said indication relay.

EARL M. ALLEN.

EDWIN G. LITTLE. 

